Smith's Bible Dictionary.pdf - Online Christian Library

Smith's Bible Dictionary
the tabernacle court. (Exodus 38:8) The form of the laver is not specified, but may be assumed to
have been circular. Like the other vessels belonging to the tabernacle, it was, together with its
“foot,” consecrated with oil. (Leviticus 8:10,11)
•In Solomon’s temple, besides the great molten sea, there were ten lavers of brass, raised on bases,
(1 Kings 7:27,39) five on the north and five on the south side of the court of the priests. They were
used for washing the animals to be offered in burnt offerings. (2 Chronicles 4:6)
Law
The word is properly used, in Scripture as elsewhere, to express a definite commandment laid
down by any recognized authority; but when the word is used with the article, and without any
words of limitation, it refers to the expressed will to God, and in nine cases out of ten to the Mosaic
law, or to the Pentateuch of which it forms the chief portion. The Hebrew word torah (law) lays
more stress on its moral authority, as teaching the truth and guiding in the right way; the Greek
nomos (law), on its constraining power as imposed and enforced by a recognized authority. The
sense of the word, however, extends its scope and assumes a more abstracts character in the writings
of St. Paul. Nomos, when used by him with the article, still refers in general to the law of Moses;
but when used without the article, so as to embrace any manifestation of “law,” it includes all
powers which act on the will of man by compulsion, or by the pressure of external motives, whether
their commands be or be not expressed in definite forms. The occasional use of the word “law” (as
in (Romans 3:27) “law of faith”) to denote an internal principle of action does not really mitigate
against the general rule. It should also be noticed that the title “the Law” is occasionally used loosely
to refer to the whole of the Old Testament, as in (John 10:34) referring to (Psalms 82:6) in (John
15:25) referring to (Psalms 35:19) and in (1 Corinthians 14:21) referring to (Isaiah 28:11,12)
Law Of Moses
It will be the object of this article to give a brief analysis of the substance of this law, to point
out its main principles, and to explain the position which it occupies in the progress of divine
revelation. In order to do this the more clearly, it seems best to speak of the law, 1st. In relation to
the past; 2d. In its own intrinsic character.
•(a) In reference to the past, it is all-important, for the proper understanding of the law, to remember
its entire dependence on the Abrahamic covenant. See (Galatians 3:17-24) That covenant had a
twofold character. It contained the “spiritual promise” of the Messiah; but it contained also the
temporal promises subsidiary to the former. (b) The nature of this relation of the law to the promise
is clearly pointed out. The belief in God as the Redeemer of man, and the hope of his manifestation
as such int he person of the Messiah, involved the belief that the Spiritual Power must be superior
to all carnal obstructions, and that there was in man spiritual element which could rule his life by
communion with a spirit from above. But it involved also the idea of an antagonistic power of
evil, from which man was to be redeemed, existing in each individual, and existing also in the
world at large. (c) Nor is it less essential to remark the period of the history at which it was given.
It marked and determined the transition of Israel from the condition of a tribe to that of a nation,
and its definite assumption of a distinct position and office in the history of the world. (d) Yet,
though new in its general conception, it was probably not wholly new in its materials. There must
necessarily have been, before the law, commandments and revelations of a fragmentary character,
under which Israel had hitherto grown up. So far therefore as they were consistent with the objects
of the Jewish law, the customs of Palestine and the laws of Egypt would doubtless be traceable
in the Mosaic system. (e) In close connection with, and almost in consequence of, this reference
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William Smith